The most-reported Model S run is 5YJSA1H19EF (2014 builds) with 37 complaints, 6.7× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 30% of reports; 2014 is the worst model year at 8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for Model S model years 2012–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Tesla Model S has 206 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 12% of every Model S complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5YJSA1H19EF•••••• | 2014 | 4 | — | |
| 5YJSA1H12EF•••••• | 2014 | 3 | — | |
| 5YJSA1H11EF•••••• | 2014 | 3 | 1 | |
| 5YJSA1H14EF•••••• | 2014 | 3 | — | |
| 5YJSA1H15EF•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 5YJSA1H10EF•••••• | 2014 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5YJSA1H16EF•••••• | 2014 | 3 | 1 | |
| 5YJSA1H18EF•••••• | 2014 | 2 | 1 | |
| 5YJSA1H13EF•••••• | 2014 | 4 | — | |
| 5YJSA1CN1DF•••••• | 2013 | 3 | — | |
| 5YJSA1H1XEF•••••• | 2014 | 3 | — | |
| 5YJSA1CN7DF•••••• | 2013 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 194 Model S runs has 15 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 187 Model S VINs so far, most often 2016, 2017, 2015 builds; 6 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Tesla Model S the gap between build years is 3.8×: a 2014 car draws 8 complaints per run, a 2012 one 2.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 135 | 22 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 179 | 34 | 13 | |
| 2014 | 345 | 43 | 45 | |
| 2013 | 422 | 83 | 33 | |
| 2012 | 58 | 28 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2014 at 8 complaints per run; lightest is 2012 at 2.1. The 2022 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 30% of everything Tesla Model S owners report: Electrical System, 383 of 1,139 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 8 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 40 | 7 | |
| Steering | 9 | 1 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 9 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 24 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 39 recall campaigns on the Tesla Model S; the 6 below cover build years 2012 to 2024. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 24V376000 | Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices | 2012–2024 |
| 23V838000 | Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software | 2012–2023 |
| 24V051000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2012–2023 |
| 23V085000 | Steering:automated/adaptive Steering | 2016–2023 |
| 21V00B000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 2014–2021 |
| 22V037000 | Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software | 2016–2022 |
24V376000 was opened in 2024 on cars built from 2012: 12 years on the road before the recall.
The Model S against its rivals
The Model S draws 5.5 complaints per production run; the Porsche Panamera 1.4 and the Genesis G80 2.3. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S | 1,139 | 206 | 8.6% | |
| Porsche Panamera | 103 | 75 | 4.9% | |
| Genesis G80 | 216 | 92 | 7.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,139 reports on the Tesla Model S, 8.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Tesla Model S | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,139 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 98 (8.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 17 (1.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 39 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 13 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 48% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Tesla Model S share of that is 1,139 complaints over 206 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Tesla Model S VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,139 NHTSA complaints from 206 Model S runs and 39 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Model S production run has the most complaints?
5YJSA1H19EF, a 2014 build, with 37 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Model S run has 5.5.
Which Model S years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2014 is heaviest at 8 complaints per run and 2012 lightest at 2.1.
Does the Model S get more complaints than the Porsche Panamera?
Yes: 5.5 complaints per production run for the Model S against 1.4 for the Porsche Panamera.
How many Model S complaints involve a crash?
8.6% of 1,139 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 17 involved a fire.
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